Nail-biting win for Norwich team in Christian cup

Norwich Central Baptist Church men's team clinched a 4-3 win on penalties against Bromley's Boro Lane on December 6 in the first game of the National Christian Cup.

Match report by Adam Hubbard

Norwich Central Baptist 1-1 Boro Lane (NCBC win 4-3 on penalties)

NCBC sealed a place in the Last 16 of the National Christian Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout against Bromley's Boro Lane, after the two teams couldn’t be separated at 1-1 in normal time.

Boro Lane had taken the lead midway through the first half, taking full advantage of a defensive mix-up to slot home. Saves from both keepers kept the score at 0-1 at the break, but NCBC pulled themselves level early in the second half via Ewan Hall, who cut inside from the left and found the bottom corner with a strike from the edge of the box.

NCBC had the better of the play after the equaliser, with the Boro Lane keeper continuing to command his area well and making some good stops when called upon.

Following a delayed kick-off and with the mid-afternoon light fading, the match went straight to penalties. Boro Lane won the toss and opted to start the shootout, but NCBC keeper Adam Hubbard saved their first two spot kicks. The opening trio of Daniel Jervis, Adam Jervis and Ian Garrod all converted well for NCBC, as the home side raced into a 3-1 advantage after three kicks each. The visiting keeper then saved well from NCBC's fourth penalty, as Boro Lane netted their next two. This left player-manager Chris Morgan with the chance to win it with the fifth penalty, and his powerful rising shot beat the keeper and deservedly won the tie.

NCBC can now look forward to welcoming opposition from either Hertfordshire or Lewisham early in the new year, with a place in the Quarter Finals at stake.